WEST Devon Borough Council is introducing a new “opt in” garden waste service to replace current collections.

The service will be fortnightly, with garden waste collected in new-style sacks with permits attached.

Residents signing up for the scheme will be issued with four permits and four new sacks which are a different design from the existing ones.

Residents can subscribe to the new scheme for £40 a year via the website: http://www.westdevon.gov.uk/gardenwaste"; TARGET="_blank">www.westdevon.gov.uk/gardenwaste from June 26.

Households across the Borough will soon receive a leaflet about the new scheme and how to sign up.

The service starts on July 31 and anyone signing up before this date will be able to take advantage of an introductory offer of buying 14 months for the price of 12.

Cllr Robert Sampson, West Devon Borough Council’s Lead Member for commercial services, explains why the council is introducing the service: “Our current service is greatly valued by residents and we would prefer to keep this discretionary service free but it is simply not possible due to reductions in council funding.

“Most Local Authorities now charge for garden waste collections or are thinking of doing so. We believe we are offering greater value for money than many other authorities by providing four large sacks rather than a single wheelie bin.

“Like many other local authorities, we have introduced what we know is a cost effective charge for the garden waste service and hope residents will understand the reasons for introducing this.”

For householders using the current garden waste service, the last collection will be between July 3 and 14. From July 17 to 28 there will be no garden waste collections as the council prepares for the new service which starts on July 31.

Residents will still be able to dispose of their garden waste free-of-charge by taking it to one of the local recycling centres.

They may also like to try home composting. Subsidised compost bins are available to buy for £15 from the council offices at Okehampton and Kilworthy Park and will also be available at Okehampton and Chagford Shows in August.